July 26 2019 - Sts. Joachim & Anne - Feast of the Grandparents

A few years ago, on the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus, Pope Francis said, “How important grandparents are for family life, for passing on the human and religious heritage which is so essential for each and every society!” Elsewhere he said, “Grandparents are the living memory of family. They pass on the faith, they transmit the faith, to us.”

I was blessed to grow up very close to my maternal grandparents. Maybe more than any of my cousins, I got to hear the stories of our family, and really come to discover what my grandparents valued most in life: faith, family, hard work, wine & food.

Some children are blessed to grow up near their grandparents, while others because of distance only get to spend time with their grandparents a few times a year.  Given the culture of the Holy Land, it’s likely that Jesus spent considerable time with His grandparents, even if they didn’t live in the same town.  They undoubtedly were a source of great human affection and examples of Jewish piety and devotion

For many years on Sunday, when my parents worked late the night before, my grandparents would drive miles out of their way to pick me up for Sunday Mass. I may have mentioned before, that I don’t know if I would have discovered my priestly vocation, without my grandparents.

The role of grandparents today is paramount in an age where there is a growing laxity in the practice of the faith: great effort is made for vacation, sports & leisure, but little effort is expended to pursue holiness. Grandparents can help to ensure that the Tradition and Faith is passed on to the younger generations, and help to guide their own children in responsible Christian parenting.

Grandparents, when you know there is something lacking in your children’s and grandchildren’s religious practice, don’t be afraid to remind your families of the importance of faith and prayer by your words and example.  When the grandkids come over, pray a rosary before the television goes on in the evening, make sure that prayers are said before family meals, teach the traditions, share the family stories, model the values, instill the faith.

In the Gospel, Our Lord explains the parable of the Sower to his disciples. Grandparents are in a very privileged position to plant and cultivate the most important seeds in a children’s lives, which is why Pope Francis speaks of the importance of grandparents for family life.

Through the prayers of Saints Joachim and Anne may we all come to a deeper knowledge of the role we have in spreading the Faith for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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In gratitude for the example of faith and the role of grandparents in the Church, we pray to the Lord.

For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, and a strengthening of all marriages.

That our young people on summer vacation may be protected from all physical and spiritual harm, shielded from the errors and perversions of the world, and kept in closeness to God through prayer and virtue.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, for all those recovering from or undergoing surgery today, and for the consolation of the dying.

For all who have died, for our deceased grandparents, for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord